Goff must do more about convicted paedophile

The National Party says the Justice Minister's not doing enough to prevent any future reoffending by a convicted paedophile who's about to be released into the Palmerston North community.

"It's not good enough for Phil Goff to just say he shares public concerns over this man. The Minister should be publicly assuring the people of Palmerston North that everything that can be done, will be done to stop him reoffending," says National's Police spokesman Tony Ryall.

"In an radio interview this morning, Mr Goff admitted that he had not asked for the man's release conditions, saying he'd been overseas. Yet the release conditions were set some weeks ago.

"This is the very point National made with the Barry Ryder case - the Minister hasn't asked the right questions to satisfy the community.

"As with the Ryder case, Phil Goff is claiming the authorities can't do anything after six months.

"But has he asked questions about the mental health services that'll be provided for this man after the statutory period? Has he asked what plan there is for a social work agency to work with this man and his family after six months? Has he asked the police what monitoring is planned?

"The authorities could provide increased supervision for this man after six months by consent. Ryder consented to such supervision but it was cut back because of cost.

"Phil Goff made his reputation riding a wave of public concern about this case, and the Ryder case, but later washed his hands of Ryder who went on to seriously reoffend.

"Mr Goff can't run the same risk with the people of Palmerston North. He has to give an assurance that no expense will be spared to make sure the community, and this man, are protected," says Mr Ryall.

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